Transformative Leadership Conversations with Winnie da Silva

Winnie da Silva
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Transformative Leadership Conversations with Winnie da Silva

Listen in on transformative conversations where leaders share their journeys as they overcome and thrive through adversity and change.

  1. Neglected Leadership Characteristic #2: Reframing Humility

    3 DAYS AGO

    Neglected Leadership Characteristic #2: Reframing Humility

    "The old model of leadership, commanding, dominating, and never admitting failure, is outdated, and more importantly, it's ultimately ineffective." - Winnie da SilvaIs humility the secret weapon some leaders are overlooking? In today’s fast-paced world, we’re taught to believe that the most successful leaders are the loudest, the boldest, and the most aggressive. But what if humility, often seen as a weakness, is actually the missing ingredient to becoming a more effective and respected leader? In this episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, the second one in the Neglected Leadership Characteristics series, I’m challenging the traditional view of leadership and showing how humility can drive better business results, strengthen relationships, and foster a culture of trust and innovation.You’ll hear me discuss:* Why humility isn’t weakness: I unpack how humble leaders aren’t passive or pushovers, but confident, decisive individuals who are willing to take a stand even when it’s unpopular. Humility doesn’t mean avoiding conflict—it means making thoughtful, informed decisions with integrity.* The power of reframing humility: Today, humility is often seen as outdated or even embarrassing, especially in industries that reward aggressive self-promotion. I’ll explore how rebranding humility as a strength can help leaders build stronger teams and make better decisions in uncertain times.* The critical difference between humility and arrogance: Arrogance can alienate teams and cloud judgment, while humility creates trust and respect. I’ll share how embracing humility can lead to higher engagement, stronger relationships, and more creative solutions in the workplace.* How humility fuels innovation: I’ll dive into how humble leaders actively seek out diverse perspectives, encourage experimentation, and admit they don’t have all the answers. In a world that’s constantly changing, this mindset is key to staying ahead of the competition and creating lasting impact.* Practical tips for embracing humility in your leadership style: It’s not enough to just talk about humility—I’ll share actionable strategies you can use to incorporate humility into your daily leadership practice, such as seeking feedback, admitting mistakes, elevating others’ contributions, and staying grounded despite success.* Why humility might be the antidote to today’s leadership challenges: From disorientation to fear and uncertainty, we’re living in a time when traditional approaches to leadership are failing. I’ll explain how humility could be the solution to navigating these complex challenges while building a stronger, more resilient organization.Resources

    23 min
  2. Neglected Leadership Characteristic #1: Collaboration Through Disagreement

    FEB 12

    Neglected Leadership Characteristic #1: Collaboration Through Disagreement

    "Encouraging disagreement strengthens decision-making, challenges blind spots, and creates an environment where people feel heard." - Winnie da SilvaWhat if avoiding disagreement is actually holding you back? Most of us instinctively avoid conflict. We’re taught that disagreeing can damage relationships, create tension, or make us look difficult. But what if I told you that the way we approach disagreement could be the key to making better decisions, building stronger teams, and gaining real influence? The truth is, the most successful people don’t run from disagreement—they master it. In this episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, I explore how to turn conflict into a tool for growth rather than a source of frustration. I break down why disagreement is not the enemy, why avoiding it can be more damaging than facing it, and how the best leaders use it to their advantage.You’ll hear me discuss:* Why avoiding disagreement is riskier than facing it – The hidden dangers of keeping quiet and why people often regret not speaking up more than they regret engaging in a debate.* How Abraham Lincoln turned political rivals into trusted allies – A look at his Team of Rivals approach and how bringing opposing voices together led to better decisions.* The difference between arguing to win vs. arguing to learn – Why treating disagreement as a battle is the fastest way to lose credibility, and what to do instead.* Why true influence isn’t about power—it’s about how you disagree – The people who hold the most influence aren’t necessarily the ones in charge, but the ones who challenge ideas the right way.* The 3 common ways people handle disagreement—and the one that actually works – Do you avoid, attack, or adapt? Understanding these patterns will help you shift toward more productive conversations.* How to make disagreements feel less personal and more productive – A simple mindset shift that reduces defensiveness and keeps the conversation focused on solutions.* Practical techniques for disagreeing without damaging relationships – Real strategies to express your point of view while still keeping mutual respect intact.

    24 min
  3. Motivation, Identity, and Impact with Nikhil Paul

    JAN 29

    Motivation, Identity, and Impact with Nikhil Paul

    "Motivation starts with identity—when you believe in the story you’re telling yourself, the actions follow." - Nikhil Paul

    51 min
  4. Fueling Growth with Aligned Motivation with James Thorman

    JAN 22

    Fueling Growth with Aligned Motivation with James Thorman

    "When you align individual motivation with the broader mission, that’s when magic happens and teams thrive.” - James Thorman...

    55 min
  5. The Power of Intrinsic Motivation with Winnie da Silva

    JAN 15

    The Power of Intrinsic Motivation with Winnie da Silva

    "Leaders can't motivate people—and nor should they. But what you can do is foster an environment where intrinsic motivation can thrive." - Winnie da SilvaWhat if I told you that motivating your team isn’t your job? It sounds counterintuitive, right? As a leader, your instinct is to inspire your team to perform at their best—but real, lasting motivation comes from within. In this episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, I challenge the traditional view of leadership by flipping the script: instead of motivating your team, focus on creating an environment where intrinsic motivation can thrive. Through meaningful one-on-one conversations, leaders can help team members clarify what drives them, align work with their passions, and ultimately improve engagement and performance. Motivation isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach—it’s personal, dynamic, and deeply impactful when done right.Listen to me talk about:* Motivation is Personal - What motivates you may not motivate your team. That’s okay—and understanding this is the first step to unlocking better performance and engagement.* Leaders Can't Motivate People—And They Shouldn’t - Your role as a leader is not to "motivate" others. Instead, it's about creating the conditions where intrinsic motivation can flourish.* Meaningful Conversations Drive Engagement - When was the last time you had a one-on-one conversation with a team member about what truly drives them? These conversations are key to building trust, uncovering motivators, and reigniting engagement.* Intrinsic Motivation Matters More Than Perks - People are most engaged when their work aligns with intrinsic motivators like autonomy, purpose, and progress—not just external rewards like paychecks or promotions.* Shared Responsibility: Team Members & Leaders - Motivation is a two-way street. Team members must reflect on what they want, communicate openly, and take initiative, while leaders must facilitate clarity, encourage ownership, and provide support.* Practical Steps for Leaders: I share a step-by-step guide for holding motivational one-on-one conversations:Clarify what’s important – Help team members articulate what matters most to them.Define the gaps – Identify where their current experience falls short of their desires.Problem-solve together – Collaborate to find actionable ways to align work with motivators.* Powerful Reflective Questions for One-on-Ones - Here are six questions you can ask to help your team members uncover what drives them:At this point in your life and career, what are the two to three most important things you want from your job?On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with your current job? What would it take to get closer to a 10?What parts of your job do you enjoy the most? The least?If you could change your job to make it more rewarding, what changes would you make?What’s one thing you’re not getting enough of from your work?What have you noticed about how your motivators have evolved over time?ResourcesWinnie da Silva on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/winnie-da-silva-1b8414/) | On the Web (https://www.winniedasilva.com/) | Substack (https://winniedasilva.substack.com/) I Email - winnie@winnifred.org (mailto:winnie@winnifred.org)

    27 min
  6. "Innovation" with Mauhan Zonoozy

    12/18/2024

    "Innovation" with Mauhan Zonoozy

    "Diversity of thought is very powerful. I aggressively seek out people that don’t think like me and are polar opposites of me. That’s the only way to pull yourself out of your own corner." - Mauhan ZonoozyWhat if the biggest barrier to innovation isn’t a lack of ideas—but a fear of permission? In this episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, I sat down with Mauhan Zonoozy, a strategic advisor and expert in innovation and venture building. Mauhan shared bold perspectives on why permission is a sneaky barrier to innovation—and how leaders can break free from it. We explored why people often wait for a "green light" before acting, how fear of failure holds companies back, and why the best ideas don’t come from rigid playbooks but from fresh thinking and risk-taking. Mauhan also gave us a behind-the-scenes look at how revolutionary leaders think differently, take big bets, and build the kind of confidence that fuels game-changing moves.Hear Mauhan and I discuss:* Stop Asking for Permission: Many people feel the need to ask for permission before taking action—but innovation thrives when people are empowered to move forward without it. This shift in mindset can be transformative for individuals and teams.* The Illusion of Wanting Change: Companies often say they want innovation but get cold feet when change feels risky. Leaders need to recognize this pattern and push through it to create real impact.* Fear is the Real Enemy: Playing it safe is the quickest way to stall innovation. Leaders and teams must be comfortable with the unknown and be willing to face failure head-on. Mauhan reminds us, "If you play scared, that's how you get hurt."* Innovation Isn't a Playbook: While processes and frameworks have their place, real innovation happens when people are given space to think freely. A blank piece of paper and sticky notes may be all you need to spark groundbreaking ideas.* Diversity of Thought is a Superpower: To break out of narrow thinking, you need to bring in diverse perspectives and people who challenge your assumptions. True creativity comes from constructive friction, not echo chambers.* The Courage to Take Big Bets: Revolutionary executives don’t just play it safe—they take risks, often against conventional wisdom. Mauhan points to Amazon’s famous decision to invest in AWS as an example of bold, visionary thinking that changed the industry.* The Hard Truth About Failure: It’s easy to talk about "embracing failure," but living it is much harder—especially when investors or reputations are on the line. True innovators push past the discomfort and stay committed to the process.

    45 min
  7. Creative Friction Sparks Innovation with Sandy Fershee

    12/11/2024

    Creative Friction Sparks Innovation with Sandy Fershee

    What if innovation isn’t just for a select few, but something every single person can access and contribute to? In this episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, I had the chance to chat with Sandy Fershee, the Head of Design & User Experience at Audible. Sandy shared some truly inspiring thoughts about innovation—how it’s not something reserved for just a select few, but something that everyone can contribute to. We talked about the importance of curiosity, creating psychological safety within teams, and how failure is just a part of the process of growth and learning. Sandy also gave some great insights on how diverse perspectives and strong leadership can help unlock creativity and fuel innovation.Listen in as Sandy and Winnie discuss:* Innovation is for Everyone: Innovation doesn’t need to be limited to a special group of people. Everyone, regardless of their role, can offer valuable ideas and contribute to moving things forward.* Creating Psychological Safety: It’s vital to create an environment where people feel safe to experiment, fail, and learn without the fear of judgment.* Curiosity Drives Innovation: Asking questions and digging deeper—always asking "why"—is how you uncover new possibilities and inspire fresh ideas.* Failure as a Learning Opportunity: Failure isn’t the end—it’s part of the journey. By reflecting on what went wrong, we can adjust, learn, and do better next time.* The Power of Diverse Teams: Bringing together people from different backgrounds and disciplines leads to more creative solutions and richer ideas.* Leadership for Innovation: As a leader, it’s crucial to encourage small experiments, fast iterations, and building confidence in ideas. These actions can help keep innovation alive and moving forward.* Sandy’s Passion for Problem-Solving: Sandy’s drive to solve human problems through design and innovation is infectious. She’s all about creating meaningful experiences that make an impact.ResourcesSandy Fershee on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyfershee/) | Audible (https://www.audible.com/about)Winnie da Silva on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/winnie-da-silva-1b8414/)

    47 min
  8. Discover Your Innovation Style: Take the Quiz!

    12/04/2024

    Discover Your Innovation Style: Take the Quiz!

    What if the biggest barrier to innovation within your team or organization is you? In this episode, I’m diving into the heart of innovation—what it means for leaders and how we can create an environment that allows it to thrive. I explore the essential role that leaders play in driving meaningful innovation and reflect on how we can overcome the distractions and barriers that keep us from unlocking our full creative potential.In this episode, you’ll hear about:* The Innovation Leadership Styles Quiz: I introduce a fun and insightful quiz that will help you identify your innovation style, whether you’re a big-picture visionary, a process-driven optimizer, a risk-taking experimenter, a collaborative connector, or a creative playmaker.* The Role of Leadership in Innovation: Innovation is about more than just having good ideas. It's about creating the time, space, and attention necessary for those ideas to come to life. As leaders, we must carve out that space and avoid distractions.* The Importance of Reflection: Understanding your own leadership style is key to unlocking your innovative potential. After you take the quiz, I encourage you to reflect on your strengths and opportunities for growth. Every style has its benefits, but we can all expand our thinking and broaden our approach.* Creating a Culture of Innovation: It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks and pressures, but to truly innovate, we need to step back, make space, and give ourselves permission to think creatively. I challenge you to ask yourself: How much innovation are you missing simply because you’re too distracted or busy?Innovation Leadership Style quiz1. When faced with a new challenge, your first instinct is to:A. Imagine an entirely new idea or solution that could disrupt the status quo.B. Look for small, measurable improvements to current products, processes, or ideas.C. Try different approaches to see what works best.D. Assemble a team with diverse perspectives to brainstorm ideas and solutions.E. Infuse energy and excitement into your team to spark creative ideas.2. What’s your preferred approach to brainstorming?A. Share a bold idea and challenge the team to build on it.B. Focus the discussion on solving a specific problem step-by-step.C. Encourage wild ideas, knowing that even "bad" ones might inspire success.D. Facilitate group discussions around new ideas where everyone feels heard.

    13 min
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Listen in on transformative conversations where leaders share their journeys as they overcome and thrive through adversity and change.

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